My name is Imelda, your Personal Travel Counsellor. I live in Midleton, East Cork.
As a travel agent, I believe in the personalized touch and attention to detail, understanding that no two travelers are the same. My mission has always been to tailor bespoke itineraries that cater to the unique preferences, interests, and budgets of each individual or group. I take great pride in turning travel dreams into tangible realities, curating seamless and unforgettable experiences that leave lasting memories.
In this ever-evolving world of travel, I remain committed to staying updated on the latest trends, destinations, and safety protocols, ensuring my clients embark on their adventures with peace of mind and excitement. Whether it's planning a luxurious escape, a thrilling adventure, or a cultural immersion, I am dedicated to making every travel journey a remarkable one.
I have been lucky enough to visit many destinations over the years including Australia, USA, Mexico, Peru, Africa, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Bali, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Tanzania, South Africa, Turkey and many destinations in Europe, including France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Czech Republic, Cyprus and Greece.
Southeast Asia is a personal favourite of mine. I have travelled extensively in this area and worked as a destination specialist for this region for 14 years. I would be happy to share my first-hand knowledge of this unique and exciting part of the world. Whether it is to spend a night on a traditional Vietnamese junk boat on Halong Bay, see the sun rise over Angkor Wat Cambodia, get up close to elephants in Thailand, or participate in an alms giving ceremony at dawn in Luang Prabang Laos, I can help make that trip extra special for you.
So, if you're seeking a travel experience that goes beyond the ordinary and promises to be truly extraordinary, you've come to the right place. Let my passion and expertise guide you on your next adventure, and together, let's explore the wonders of this beautiful world. Happy travels!
My customer stories
Sent by H Ryan
Dublin 27/02/2024
We recently returned from a fabulous family trip to New York booked with Imelda. We stayed in the Riu Plaza Times Square which was a fantastic location right beside Times Square. Hotel was excellent with exceptional breakfast, generous rooms and even had a gym for the teenagers. Imelda booked us a room configuration that was not available online and the price was excellent. Imelda also guided us through the visa process and was always available for any queries we had. It was great reassurance to know Imelda was on the other end of the phone or email for any issues we had. I highly recommend Imelda for end-to-end information, booking and support. Her knowledge and enthusiasm and can-do attitude shines through in all dealings with her.
Sent by E Fitzgerald
Cork 23/07/2023
Imelda made our booking experience very easy and not stressful. It's clear Imelda has a lot of experience so we trusted and took her advice. I admire her patience as there is a bit of work when deciding on best option. Highly recommend Imelda!
Sent by B Leyden
Limerick 23/07/2023
Imelda is an amazing Travel Counsellor and I would highly recommend her. She works very hard to have all travel arrangements sorted over a very short period of time, and is always available to speak with.
Sent by L Collins
Cork 23/07/2023
I would highly recommend Imelda as a Travel Counsellor. She is so efficient, friendly and approachable. Imelda has so much information on so many countries and gave us so many ideas for our honeymoon. She is a fantastic Travel Counsellor.
Sent by S OBrien
Cork 23/07/2023
The booking process was quick and easy. Imelda was very helpful. She returned our calls quickly and gave us options with prices to make choosing easy. I would highly recommend Imelda.
Sent by S Sullivan
Cork 23/07/2023
Imelda McCarthy has been absolutely fantastic. She created the holiday of a life time for us and made everything so easy. We are thrilled with this service thank you!
Sent by A Ryan
Midleton 23/07/2023
Imelda's passion for travel and her wealth of knowledge meant that dealing with her has been a real pleasure. When planning our first family holiday, Imelda suggested destinations that I would never have thought of. As she has travelled to most of the destinations herself, it was clear that she had an in-depth knowledge of the resorts and surrounding areas. Booking our holiday has been seamless, with regular contact made by Imelda. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Imelda when you're planning your next holiday.
Sent by B OLeary
Cork 23/07/2023
Imelda was a fantastic help from start to finish. She tailored small changes here and there to suit our requirements and gave us various options/suggestions for trips and excursions to do at our honeymoon destination.
Sent by Ellen Ryan
Dublin 19/04/2022
Excellent support provided by Imelda from beginning to end. We are a family of 5 that required a bit of sun, a bit of golf, a bit of luxury and of course we wanted good value too! Imelda delivered on everything. We had our best family holiday ever. Delighted to recommend Imelda for any holiday - she was so helpful and thorough and nothing was too much trouble.
Sent by B Walsh
Midleton 06/04/2022
Imelda was just fantastic. She was very patient with all our questions and all updates and changes were made successfully. We will be using Imelda again as will my son when he arranges his honeymoon this year. Many thanks Imelda.
Sent by Maria Santamaria Jefferson
Midleton 30/10/2021
Thanks Imelda for your helping advise, the hotel was just what I had in mind for this special occasion!
Sent by M Sweeney
Kildare 30/10/2021
I will never book my holiday with anyone else. Best service from a lovely lovely lady.
Sent by Patrick Coughlan
Mitchelstown 30/10/2021
Really pleasant and easy experience booking our honeymoon with Imelda, nothing is hassle.
Sent by Aideen Donnellan
Midleton 30/10/2021
I always recommend Imelda to friends, she is fantastic to deal with and has so much experience.
Sent by Mike Dennehy
Kenmare 30/10/2021
Imelda has been extremely helpful when we were planning our honeymoon. Especially with the pandemic as we had to cancel our original trip to Thailand. We decided to book Dubai for a week instead and Imelda helped us out with no hassle. Great communication and a joy to deal with.
Sent by Robert Kerr
Cork 30/10/2021
Imelda is as helpful, friendly and professional as ever. Imelda has been arranging our travel for many years and she always goes the extra mile to ensure everything goes according to plan.
Sent by Marie Duggan
Cork 30/10/2021
Imelda was so helpful and nothing was a problem, and she will make contact with me nearer to my departure date, so I feel all the bookings are done correctly and any paperwork will be fine when I need it, Many thanks Imelda,
Sent by C OSullivan
Cork 22/07/2021
Imelda is always incredibly helpful when it comes to assessing options for our family holidays. She is very responsive and provides all necessary information to allow us to make the best decisions. All holidays Imelda has arranged for us have been wonderful.
Sent by C ONeill
Midleton 22/07/2021
Absolutely outstanding service. Could not recommend highly enough. Imelda is an excellent contact.
Sent by R Morrison
Cork 22/07/2021
Excellent service.
Sent by S Gillen
Cork 22/07/2021
Excellent personal service with a prompt response to all queries
Sent by A Lane
Cork 22/07/2021
Great advice, great service! I would advise my friends and family to use Travel Counsellors
Sent by L Carroll
Cork 22/07/2021
Imelda is always so helpful whenever I book a holiday and is always a pleasure to deal with. She always takes the time to answer all of my questions and nothing is ever a problem. I will always recommend Travel Counsellors to anyone I know. Thank you for making booking my next trip so easy.
Sent by K Desmond
Cork 22/07/2021
Imelda has been so helpful through these difficult times. She is always on the end of the phone. She has been so reassuring throughout! Very pleasant lady indeed 10/10
Sent by Steve Meaney
Cork 22/07/2021
I can't say enough good things about Imelda! The last 16 months has been horrible for everyone and after cancelling cruise after cruise due to Covid she was always on hand to help us. Her knowledge of the travel industry is second to none. I've spoken about her with friends and family and if I ever have to book anything again Imelda will be my first port of call. Highly highly recommend.
Sent by Ellen Ryan
Dublin 01/04/2020
Imelda is always responsive, enthusiastic and engaging. She has a deep knowledge of America as a travel destination and made us feel like no question was too trivial. She is highly experienced in the travel industry as evidenced by the support she gave us to deal with the uncertainty around travel during the Covid 19 crisis. I will most definitely recommend Imelda to family and friends.
Sent by Leo OL
Cork 09/01/2020
Imelda was an absolute pleasure to deal with incredibly responsive and couldn't do enough to help me with my trip to Cape Town. I would recommend (and have already) Imelda to many friends and family. Many thanks Leo
Sent by Mark G
Dublin 07/01/2020
Imelda organised a trip to Australia for us over Christmas and the New Year – myself, my wife and daughter – to visit our son in Adelaide. We booked our trip to include a visit to Singapore on the way out and a week in Sydney before we returned. Imelda was ultra-professional in organising the trip – all her recommendation for hotels/accommodation were excellent. Any queries we had before our departure were answered speedily and professionally. We had a fantastic time. I would not hesitate in recommending Imelda to other potential customers.
Sent by Clare McNally
Co Tyrone 19/12/2019
Imelda - thanks for all your work on securing us our holiday for 2020. You worked with us through the various choices, being patient while we changed our minds and made sure we ultimately made decisions in time to secure the best value. Your knowledge of the options available has been invaluable in helping us have a wonderful holiday for the last 2 years and I know it will be the same in 2020. Thanks!
Sent by Marianna Safuler
Cork 30/09/2019
Imelda did an extraordinary job. The trip itinerary she created for us catered to all travellers needs. I've never used Travel Counsellors before this as I've been always organising trips myself. It's the first time I did this time and definitely won't be the last. Thank you again Imelda for your work, attention to details and responsiveness, whenever any change needed to be implemented.
Sent by Kerri Gleeson
Cork 29/08/2019
We really enjoyed working with Imelda when planning our dream honeymoon. Nothing was too much trouble when we wanted to look at a few different options. Imelda was available for calls in the evenings when we were both available and she always came back with what we asked for and more. Imelda also worked to our budget and would always have suggestions on what we could chop and change if needed. She speaks from experience and had already stayed in the places that we will be staying I and could describe her experiences in detail which got us even more excited. We know that Imelda is available directly at any time when we are on our honeymoon if we need anything. I would highly recommend Imelda, she has a lovely way about her and she is not pushy and doesn't get frustrated if you change your mind, something I have experienced with other travel agents. She works very hard to ensure she is giving you the best service and value for money and most importantly to help you plan out your dream trip while focusing on the things that were important to us. Thanks Imelda!
Sent by Abby Ho
Bandon 07/06/2019
From the moment I met Imelda I knew we were in great hands. She gave us time to time about our options and wasn't pushy as I found with other travel agents. Imelda was by far the best in terms of price, what we were looking for and of course to deal with. The app is also very handy and made making payments easy. I could pay off our honeymoon at our own pace. I gave Imelda a rough idea of what we were hoping for our honeymoon and she came back with lots of choices and options to give us our perfect honeymoon. We had the trip of a lifetime which was down to Imelda. The hotels were exceptional in terms of class, location and staff.! I would highly recommend giving Imelda a call. She is easy and pleasant to deal with. I had lots of activities I wanted to do and she included it all in, nothing was a problem. We even got a welcome home card when we returned home. It was a nice touch to think that we were still a priority. Imelda genuinely wants you the have the best honeymoon/holiday possible!
Sent by Michaela Lee
Kenmare 07/06/2019
Imelda made everything so easy for us. We had spoken with other travel agents and each time we had a question we would be speaking to a different person on the phone each telling us a different answer. With Imelda it was a lot more personal she was on the end of the phone whenever we needed her to guide us with booking our perfect honeymoon.
Sent by Sinead Loughnane
Midleton 08/04/2019
We found Imelda extremely helpful and easy to work with. She adapted packages to our budget and taste and is always at the end of the line if we have any questions.
Sent by Mairead Twomey
Macroom 08/04/2019
I'm grateful to have found Imelda. She was a pleasure to do business with. Imelda is extremely professional and patient. We didn't help with the fact that we couldn't decide on the many options Imelda found for us but we got there in the end and we are truely happy with our choice. Through the use of the TC app it made our experience with Travel Counsellor impeccable. I have started recommending Imelda and Travel Counsellors to my friends and family already. It was such a nice experience to have a friendly voice at the other end of the call which didn't pressure us into anything. Thanks again Imelda!
Sent by Robert Kerr
15/01/2019
We do often recommend Imelda to friends and family. This is because in many years of Imelda successfully organising all our holidays, she has invariably been friendly, helpful and professional.
Sent by Veronika Belousova
Kerry 19/11/2018
It was such a great experience booking our honeymoon with Imelda! She has such a warm and welcoming personality. It will be our first trip away on a different continent so we wanted it to be special and Imelda managed to exceed our expectations with the honeymoon package she tailored for us. She is always available to contact via phone call, whats app or email. There is also a travel app that you can download and all your travel information is on it, its great! I would definitely recommend Imelda.
Sent by Tara O'Shea
Kerry 19/11/2018
Imelda is very efficient and took everything we wanted in to consideration when we were booking. She got us a great price and was very easy to deal with. She responded promptly to emails and dealt with our queries efficiently. She made the whole process very easy and we will be recommending her to all in the future.
Sent by Claire Crowley
Cork 14/11/2018
Imelda was very efficient and friendly, she understood that I was working on a budget and came up with a fabulous package that suits our time schedule and pockets!
Sent by Joe Tobin
Fermoy 30/10/2018
To me and my fellow travellers Imelda is simply the best. No request is too much for her and she is always prepared to adapt an itinerary to our needs while steering us away from bad value options. She is contactable at all times - weekdays, weekends, day or night and never seems to be fazed. Long may she thrive in the travel business and we wish her well.
Sent by Eamonn Clancy
Fermoy, Cork 16/10/2018
I found Imelda extremely professional and a mine field of imformation for our holiday next year. Cheers!
Sent by Thomas Creed
Fermoy, Cork 10/10/2018
Imelda contacted me first and informed me of my travel arrangements and immediately afterwards I received all details by email. I found her very helpful, cooperative and professional. It was a pleasure working with her and I look forward to more contact with regard to my trip.
Sent by Elaine Loughnane
Crosshaven 11/09/2018
Excellent to deal with, very good communication throughout. Happy to alter changes as we requested. I would highly recommend Imelda to others. Thank you so much Imelda.
Sent by Ted Farrell
Cork 16/01/2018
Excellent service provided by Imelda who was a pleasure to deal with in relation to booking our family trip to Disneyland.
Sent by Margaret O'Mahoney
Cork 04/01/2018
Imelda was so helpful organising our honeymoon. It's was great that she organised everything for us so quickly and we didn't even have to leave the house! She was so friendly and helpful.
Based in
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My Videos
My TC App
19/04/2021
As an extension of my personalised service, I offer myTC, a secure website and app which is designed to enhance your booking and trip experience.
TC Experience
12/04/2021
Let me take the stress away and plan your perfect trip!
Sri Lanka
12/04/2021
This is a short clip of some of the highlights during my family holiday to Sri Lanka in 2018.
Get the Edge on your next Luxury Holiday
12/04/2021
Get the Edge on your net Luxury Holiday, tailor made to suit your needs and budget
World of Good
12/04/2021
Now more than ever, booking with a Travel Counsellor will do you the world of good
Tanzania Safari
12/04/2021
For a truly immersive and authentic safari experience, you need look no further than Tanzania.
Elephant Hills
12/04/2021
Located north of Phuket Island in Thailand, my stay at the Elephant Hills camp has been one of the most amazing experiences I have had in Asia.
Amazing Maldives!
12/04/2021
The Maldives is an idyllic destination with resorts to suit every budget!
My Blog
I absolutely live and breathe travel and I love to write about my experiences! Please take a look through my posts - you might find your own holiday inspiration.
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As a Travel Counsellor, I’m always helping others plan their dream holi
If you're considering a cruise on the brand-new Sun Princess, I’ve just returned from a fantastic 7-night voyage (May 4th–11th, 2024), and I can confidently say: this ship is a game-changer for Princess Cruises.
Our round-trip Mediterranean itinerary included Bar (Montenegro), Corfu (Greece), Taormina (Sicily), and Naples (Italy)-where we made a DIY trip to Sorrento by public ferry. For clients l
There are few experiences as uniquely immersive as a voyage along Norway’s rugged coastline, and in May 2025, I had the privilege of doing just that—traveling aboard Hurtigruten’s legendary Coastal Express, from Kirkenes to Bergen. Six days, countless fjords, and an ever-changing landscape later, I disembarked not just having seen Norway, but having felt it.
Day 1 – May 12 | Kirkenes Departure: E
In May of 2023, I had the pleasure of joining a familiarisation trip to Cleveland, Ohio, and I must admit — this underrated Midwest city completely exceeded expectations. Over four packed days, we explored its cultural icons, natural beauty, vibrant neighbourhoods, and mouth-watering food scene. Here’s a day-by-day recap of the journey, and why Cleveland should be on your radar for clients seeking
Last month I was given the amazing opportunity to spend 4 nights onboard Silversea’s newest ship, Silver Ray with some of my Travel Counsellor colleagues from Ireland & the UK. Silver Ray was launched on 15th June and is Silversea’s second Nova Class Ship. The ships carries 728 passengers and 544 crew and delivers a new way of luxury cruising.
We flew to Athens and spent one night there before e
Embarking on a cruise is always an exciting adventure, but being part of the inaugural sailing of Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas added an extra layer of anticipation. In May 2022, I had the privilege of experiencing a truly remarkable journey on this magnificent ship, setting sail from Barcelona to the charming city of Valencia and back. The two-night voyage was filled with breathtaking view
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Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy, is a picturesque paradise that offers breathtaking views and a wide array of activities for all types of travellers. In June, my family and I embarked on a week-long adventure to this enchanting destination, staying at the delightful Del Garda Village Campsite. The experience was nothing short of magical, filled with laughter, relaxation, and exploration. Joi
Dubai, a mesmerizing blend of modern wonders and rich cultural heritage, is a city that never fails to captivate travellers from around the globe. In September, I had the privilege of experiencing a few days of pure indulgence at the JA Oceanview Hotel, followed by the highly anticipated Travel Counsellors Gold Conference at the opulent Caesar's Palace. Join me on this journey as I share the unfor
When the opportunity for a familiarisation trip to the Maldives presented itself, I couldn't contain my excitement. The prospect of exploring one of the world's most idyllic destinations with my fellow Travel Counsellor colleagues was a dream come true. Our journey led us to Kuramathi Island, where we were to experience the epitome of luxury and serenity in our overwater villas.
We flew from Dubl
Introduction:
In October 2022, my family embarked on a breathtaking 5-day river cruise aboard the Arosa Aqua, setting sail from the charming city of Cologne and venturing through enchanting destinations including Antwerp, Amsterdam, and Dusseldorf. With an all-inclusive package promising luxury, relaxation, and unforgettable experiences, this river cruise proved to be an extraordinary journey fill
Our family of four embarked on a truly enchanting Mediterranean Christmas cruise aboard the MSC Bellissima on 24th December 2022, and it exceeded all our expectations! This delightful journey allowed us to explore the captivating cities of Marseille, Genoa, La Spezia, Naples, and Palma de Mallorca, creating unforgettable memories that we will cherish forever.
The MSC Bellissima proved to be a lux
In the enchanting destination of Greece, nestled along the golden shores of the Aegean Sea, lies the luxurious retreat of Sani. In April, I embarked on a blissful getaway to this captivating resort, immersing myself in its serene surroundings, savoring exquisite culinary creations, and enjoying impeccable service. Join me as I recount the highlights of my four-night stay in this tranquil haven.
F
Exploring the Vibrant Charms of Marrakesh: A Memorable Stay at Iberostar Club Palmerie
Marrakesh, the enchanting city in Morocco, has always intrigued me with its vibrant colors, bustling souks, and rich cultural heritage. Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting this captivating destination and experiencing its unique blend of history and modernity. During my stay, I had the pleasure of calling
My family and I travelled to Carnac during Easter holidays back in 2018. This year we decided to go back, with a new campsite and a new list of things we wanted to do again and things we never got to see before!
We sailed across from Ringaskiddy to Roscoff on Brittany Ferries. We arrived on Easter Sunday morning and started into the 2 hour drive to Carnac. When arriving in Carnac we made an extra
I was lucky enough to be invited to Tanzania, Zanzibar and Istanbul in November by Tent With A View, Peak DMC, and Turkish Airlines on a familiarisation trip with some of my colleagues. We flew ex Dublin via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. Turkish Airlines operate 2 daily flights from Dublin to Istanbul and offer connections to 315 destinations in 120 countries. Their new airport in Istanbul which
How much can you pack into a day, well if you are focused and enthusiastic, it seems quiet an amount, as we discovered on the return leg of our family holiday to Sri Lanka in July 2018.
Rather than just transiting through Hamad International Airport, we planned a one-night stay in this fascinating city. Doha is the capital city of the State of Qatar, located on the coast of the Persian Gulf and h
To describe this family holiday as hugely anticipated is an understatement, we travelled to Orlando in April 2019 (over Easter) but the planning and excitement started as early as the previous September. With flights booked, the kids (11 & 13) had 8 months of theme park research to fulfil. They approached their task with massive enthusiasm. A compromise however needed to be negotiated, we were not
Sri Lanka is an Island nation in the Indian ocean about the size of Ireland with a population of 21 million. There are three distinct seasons, Dec- Apr. when the weather is warm and mostly dry, Monsoon rains affect the country May- Aug. (west & south) and Oct- Jan. (north and east), but the climate remains temperate and warm year-round.
I visited with my husband & 2 kids for 12 days in July 2018
We travelled over Easter by ferry from Ringaskiddy with Brittany Ferries, arriving early Sunday morning into Roscoff. From there, it was a comfortable 1 ½ hour drive to Carnac. Arriving shortly after 9am, we headed for the local town and stumbled on the weekly farmer’s market. It was a feast of local specialities such as Crepes (sweet) and Galettes (savoury), Moules, and of course their local cide
I was one of the lucky agents invited on a tour of Disney Magic on its inaugural visit to Cobh.
Modelled in the Art Deco style of the 1930’s and painted in the black, white and yellow colours of Mickey Mouse, the ship’s call to Cork was part of a 7-night British Isle’s Cruise. Sailing at full capacity, there were 2,700 guests and 900 staff on board. So, one member of staff for every 3 guests.
Our journey began in Ringaskiddy where we boarded the Pont Aven, Brittany Ferries. A very calm sea greeted us as we sailed out of Cork Harbour past Cobh's beautiful cathedral and colourful houses on one side, and Spike Island on the other side. Once we had proceeded beyond Roches Point and left land behind us, we settled into our 14-hour overnight sailing, Roscoff-bound. There is lots to do on-boa
Halong Bay is a UNESCO World heritage site and is located approximately 3 hours drive east of Hanoi. We left the craziness of Hanoi behind us and settled into our comfortable bus journey, our guide Dat, chatting to us about daily life in Vietnam as we contemplate all that is happening on the roads around us: motorbikes carrying whole families, livestock such as pigs and cattle are also transported
Khao Sok National Park / Elephant Hills Luxury Tented Camps:
Set against the stunning background of tropical rainforest in Khao Sok National Pak, Elephant Hills consists of 35 luxurious tents set in the jungle. This is Glamping Thai style, and is the most unique place I have ever stayed! The tents are spacious, and all have a European style bathroom and shower. The furniture is hand made using
We visited Luang Prabang this year.
It was only a little over a one-hour flight journey from Bangkok, but what greeted us couldn’t have been more far removed from the craziness of the Thai capital that we had left behind us. Luang Prabang is a charming peaceful town, which lies at the convergence of two rivers, the mighty Mekong and the smaller Nam Khan River. This UNESCO World Heritage Site
Whatever your holiday needs I'm here to help you, so simply give me a call or send me an email with your contact details on and I can get things started for you:
